Global music executives to lead business summit at AFRIMA

Personalities to look out for at the African Music Business Summit.

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African music’s evolution from a cultural expression into a thriving global business will take centre stage in Lagos as key industry stakeholders gather for the Africa Music Business Summit, a flagship event of the ninth All Africa Music Awards.

The summit is scheduled to hold on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. It is expected to attract artistes, music executives, investors, policymakers and media professionals from across Africa and beyond, all focused on strengthening the continent’s rapidly expanding music economy.

With the theme “Connect, Build, Own: Monetising Africa’s Music Revolution,” this year’s summit will explore how African creatives can transform talent into long-term economic value. Conversations will centre on ownership, infrastructure, financing, media influence and building a sustainable music value chain across the continent.

The summit will be hosted by award-winning international broadcaster and CNN African Voices Changemakers host, Larry Madowo; with popular television host and actor, Mojibade Sosanya, serving as co-host. Madowo will also moderate key sessions, alongside experienced professionals including Landry Gnamba from Côte d’Ivoire, Nde Ndifonka from Cameroon, and Victoria Nkong from Nigeria. The keynote address will be delivered by the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm.

A strong lineup of speakers cutting across music, media, law and policy has been confirmed. They include CEO of Universal Music South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, Sipho Dlamini; Karima Damir of Universal Music for the MENA region; Ghanaian music executive, Francis Doku; Moroccan music publisher and international rights advisor, Mustapha Ettouil; Sweden’s Georg Heritlitz; founder of Storm Records, Olisa Adibua; and Plug Entertainment founder and music executive, Bizzle Oshikoya.

Also expected at the summit are celebrated African artistes and industry figures such as legendary Congolese musician, Koffi Olomidé; Nigerian producer and record executive, ID Cabasa; DR Congo’s Innoss’B, Tanzanian star Juma Jux; Ghanaian dancehall heavyweight, Stonebwoy; and Ivorian rapper, Didi B, among others.

Speaking ahead of the summit, President and Executive Producer of AFRIMA, Mike Dada, described the summit as a vital platform for shaping the future of African music.

“African music is one of the continent’s strongest cultural exports today, but talent alone is not enough. The Africa Music Business Summit is designed to help African creatives and industry players understand ownership, structure and sustainability, so they can fully benefit from the value they create.”

The summit forms part of AFRIMA’s five-day celebration, which will include the Welcome Soiree on January 7, the Africa Music Business Summit on January 8, the Host City Tour and CSR Visit, the Music Village Concert on January 9, the Nominees and Industry Party on January 10, and the Red Carpet and Grand Awards Night on January 11. The awards ceremony will be broadcast live to over 84 countries, bringing Africa’s music and creative excellence to a global audience.

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